Book log: Ravensong

Because if words are left unsaid, they will haunt you for the rest of your days.

I’m describing Ravensong as work in version translated to Polish language by Anna Standowicz-Chojnacka, as this is how I’ve read it.

Do you know the feeling of burning up from the inside? The same exact feeling where your blood feels at higher temperature than normal, like during a fever. Uncomfortable, dizzying. That’s exactly what I’ve felt while reading the book for 8 hours (with smaller breaks) until I’ve reached the other side of the cover (started reading somewhere in the middle). 8 hours. It’s not uncommon for me to have such hyperfocus periods, but usually it only affected video games.

I did this kind of book marathon, because I knew that if I stopped mid way and left the reading for another day, I’d be battling with myself wanting to find out what happens next. It would be like pausing an action movie right when the climax begins.

Ravensong supplements and continues the story from Wolfsong. It puts another vital character in a role of narrator and speaks the story from their perspective. Author used narrative time jumps backwards and forwards to explore the story, which confused me two or three times but generally has been regular enough to understand which chunk of text refers to which period of time.

Despite the fact that both Ravensong and Wolfsong have large focus on developing romance between characters, I’ve felt different vibes from those two books in a way that is difficult for me to explain. The love being main focus of first tome felt close to my heart, it felt immature but something I’d cherish so much, it was warm and fuzzy, reminding of pinecones and candy canes. Of epic and awesome.
While love being the main focus of second tome felt much more mature, harsh, lovable but much more filled with regret and anger, feeling like dirt and leaves and rain.

It certainly has to do with how characters were written - their personalities, their character, but also in part how the story allowed love in both cases to be developed and what hurdles it had to overcome. There were no shortcuts with character development. Character’s emotions and grief felt just as stubborn and persistent like I’d expect, despite it being frustrating, you come to appreciate how reconciliation with past does not come quick and devoid of sacrifices.

Ravensong does not make what I considered a mistake of first book (which is arguable, whether it really was one). The story reaches and finishes its climax but lets you know that this isn’t the end. That there is more to the story that author wants to explore. And just like after the first book, I’m left wanting, greedy for more. I feel greedy to hear about my beloved characters more. I feel pain, knowing that the more I read, the more sacrifices will occur, more sadness, more hurt will occur. Because every battle has its losses, and sacrifices are the inevitability, and yet the pack grows stronger.

As far as pacing goes I’m quite happy with it in this tome. The time jumps forward weren’t egregious and felt justified.

To put it crudely, I’ve became a slut for my cherished werewolves of Green Creek, and I’m considering how to reconstruct my demon shrine to be werewolf inclusive.

Final verdict? Green Creek series, both books so far continue to be a recommend from me. I sometimes think about reading the books again, which somehow sounds like fun.